Safe2Tell continues to see record number of tip submissions in September

Oct. 10, 2019 (DENVER, Colo.)— Safe2Tell released its monthly report today. In September, the program received 2,664 tips, a 45 percent increase in monthly tip volume compared to September 2018. To date for the 2019-20 school year (SY), Safe2Tell has received 3,590 actionable tips, a 42 percent increase over 2018-19 SY. Suicide threats (396), bullying (202), and drugs (170) continued to be the top categories of tips reported to the program.

“The rise in tips to Safe2Tell could be the result of students settling into their school environments, connecting with their friends, and becoming more familiar with their surroundings. Starting a new school year can be stressful and lead to unsafe behavior. It’s why the Attorney General’s office and Safe2Tell recently worked with other partners to launch a public service announcement campaign so that young people know there are resources to report threats to themselves or others,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser.

In addition to suicide threats, drugs, and bullying, there were 222 duplicate tips reported in September. Duplicate tips are reports regarding a concern or event that has already been reported, and they are an indicator of a healthy reporting culture within a community. False tips remain at approximately 2.5 percent of all tips submitted. False tips are those that contain untrue information and are submitted with the intent to harm, injure, or bully another person.

“Suicide remains the number one tip that Safe2Tell has received for the past four years. Although we encourage students to talk to trusted, caring adults about their concerns, Coloradans should take comfort knowing that Safe2Tell offers an additional layer of protection when youth are struggling,” said Essi Ellis, director of Safe2Tell.

“The story these numbers tell is one of Coloradans taking student well-being and safety seriously and using this valuable resource effectively. It’s also a testament to our hard-working team that is passionate about serving the public in this important way,” said Kevin McElyea, director of the Colorado Information Analysis Center, whose trained dispatchers handle incoming Safe2Tell tips 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In September, anonymous tips from students and other individuals successfully helped prevent incidents of self-harm and illegal activity. For example:

  • A tip was received about child abuse. Law enforcement conducted a welfare check and the Department of Human Services was notified.
  • A tip was received about a possible school attack. Law enforcement investigated and determined there was no immediate threat.

Safe2Tell is a successful violence intervention and prevention program for students to anonymously report threats to their own, and others’, safety. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit; it is a conduit of information for distributing anonymous tips to local law enforcement, school officials, and other appropriate responding parties according to state law.

To make a report, individuals can call 1-877-542-7233 from anywhere, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Reports also can be made at Safe2Tell.org or through the Safe2Tell mobile app which is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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CONTACT:

Lawrence Pacheco, Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Email: Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov